Monday, September 24, 2012

Monday September 24, 2012

The Grand Jucntion Area Chamber of Commerce it out with its endorsements for local offices and they're all Republican. The Chamber says there are many qualified candidates and the task of endorsing one over another was a challenge. Here are the candidates the chamber is backing: 3rd District incumbent Congressman Scott Tipton, House District 55 incumbent Ray Scott, District 1 County Commissioner John Justman and District 3 Rose Pugliese. Missing from the endorsements was House District 54, where Republican Jared Wright is running against Libertarian Tim Menger.

The Montrose Regional Airport is getting ready for a BIG announcement. A new carrier is bringing service to the area. Details are being released tomorrow morning at 9:00 with the Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization. The marketing group has been working to bring a new low-cost carier to the airport.

High gas prices in Colorado aren't going anywhere soon. In the past week, the average price has risen about a penny, to $3.72/gal. ColroadoGasPrices.com says that's up 23 cents in the past month. Nationally, the price this past week is down 4 cents, but still up nearly 9 cents a gallon in the past month.

A 21 year old man is dead in a crash the state patrol says likely involved alcohol. It happened on I-70 just after midnight yesterday morning. According to the state patrol the driver was found in the eastbound lanes near the 20 Road overpass, the car in the median.

Grand Jucntion State Senator Steve King says money collected from a voter approved 64-cent a pack cigarette tax may be spent for programs other than those intended by the 2004 law. King says the money is earmarked for children's health care and tobacco cessation programs. The Daily Sentinel says King is concerned the money is being spent by the State Health Department to lobby local governments to pass anti-tobacco policies not covered by the state's no-smoking ban.

Two billionaire donors are sinking their money into marijuana-legalization efforts in Colorado and Washington. The Denver Post says another measure in Oregon isn't fairing as well. $1.1 million has been raised in Colorado so far, more than 3/4 of that from billionaire Peter Lewis. The Post doesn't say what the support for Amendment 64 is, but says in Washington two recent polls show a majority favoring legalization.

A fire northwest of Glenwood Springs is growing in dry conditions and unpredictable weather. The Middle Elk fire broke out Thursday on the Flat Tops, and campers in the area were evacuated Saturday. Roads in the area are closed and more firefighters are expected in the area today. The cause of the fire is considered suspicious.

Fall is officially here and the national Weather Service is out with some forecasts for the return of a weak El Nino. Meteorologist Joe Ramey tells the Denver Post the weather phenomenon could keep major winter storms south of I-70. Although he's quick to point out there are many ways his forecast could be wrong.